Why is it the stork that brings babies? This age-old legend is deeply rooted in European folklore and lives on today—not only in children’s books but also in everyday sayings and customs. Here you will learn where the idea of the stork as baby-bringer comes from, the symbols and cultural meanings behind it, and how our brand name RattleStork was inspired by this tale.
Why Tell Children About the Stork?
Sexuality, pregnancy and childbirth were long regarded as taboo—especially when explaining to little ones. To satisfy children’s curiosity, parents invented the harmless story of the stork delivering babies: a child-friendly myth rich in symbolism.
Why the Stork?
Storks were familiar birds across much of Europe: large, graceful, with a distinctive clattering call and nests atop rooftops. They appeared peaceful, dependable and returned every spring—ideal qualities for a “baby carrier”.
Water, Frogs and Fertility Symbols
Folklore expert Michael Simon explains: storks hunt frogs at the water’s edge—both long-standing symbols of fertility. It was once believed that the souls of unborn children dwelt in water, much like the amniotic fluid in the womb.
Mythical Children from the Water
The Bible already mentions Moses as an infant rescued in a basket on the Nile (Exodus 2)—a theme echoed in many fairy tales. Water has always symbolised origin, purification and new life.
The Stork in Medieval Symbolism
In medieval times, “the man’s stork” was a euphemism for the male organ. The saying that the stork “bit the mother on the leg” alludes to an unplanned pregnancy.
What Does “Adebar” Mean?
“Adebar” comes from Old High German: “auda” (good fortune) and “bar” (bearer)—literally “bearer of good fortune.” A fitting name for the stork as bringer of new life.
Traditions Around the Stork
Even today, many rural families place a wooden stork in their garden or on their roof after a baby is born. This visible sign celebrates the new arrival and conveys good wishes.
Amusing Correlation: Storks and Birth Rates
From 1970 to 1985 in Lower Saxony, stork populations and birth rates both declined—a purely coincidental but amusing correlation: “Fewer storks, fewer babies!”
From Legend to Digital Platform: RattleStork
The German word “Klapperstorch” is truly unique. Our platform name RattleStork (“the clattering stork”) honours this myth and today supports those trying to start a family through sperm donation, co-parenting and modern family planning.
Further Academic Reading
- Wikipedia: Stork – Cultural Significance
Overview of the stork’s cultural importance across countries and eras. - Von Essen, E. (2021). Storks, Sentiment, and Symbol: Animal Narratives and Local Identity. Human Ecology, Springer.
Analysis of the emotional and symbolic role of storks in rural European communities. - Quinn, P. (2018). Why Do People Think Storks Bring Babies? Live Science.
Exploration of the stork-baby myth’s origins from historical and zoological perspectives.